Chelsea are challenging Manchester City for favouritism in bwin’s Premier League outright winner odds ahead of Saturday’s big showdown.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been cut to 2/1 for title glory after powering to an impressive 3-0 victory at Tottenham.
Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kante and Antonio Rudiger hit the target in a win which sent the Champions League holders to the top of the table.
After being unhappy with what he saw in the first half in north London, Tuchel sent on Kante at the interval and it paid immediate dividends.
“Top player, if you have N’Golo you have something everyone is looking for,” Tuchel said.
“You have everything you need in midfield; you have work rate, intensity, ball wins, skilful play, dribbles, half-field drives and even a goal.
“I see this every day in training and it is hard to believe how good he is. He is a unique guy, there are no more words from me. N’Golo is N’Golo, he is fantastic.”
City are three points off the pace after being held to a goalless stalemate by Southampton at Etihad Stadium and have drifted out to 17/10.
The champions, who had scored 16 goals in their previous three home outings, were unusually blunt in attack and mustered just one effort on target – in the 90th minute.
Pep Guardiola commented: “We did not win because our process to make the build-up, to play, to create or give better balls for the players up front was not good.
“We didn’t do our process from the back four and Fernandinho – the five guys who have to bring the ball for the other players. It was not good.”
Reds show they can rotate
Liverpool and Manchester United are level on points with Chelsea and are 7/2 and 9/2 respectively in bwin’s Premier League outright winner odds.
Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita netted for the Reds in their 3-0 triumph over Crystal Palace at Anfield, which gave us a trio of successful selections in our match preview.
Jurgen Klopp made six changes from the midweek Champions League victory at home to AC Milan and was pleased with his strength in depth.
On his defensive changes, the German stated: “It was ‘rhythm or freshness’ – and we decided for freshness.
“In midfield, hopefully we have the numbers to do it and we need that because this is the engine room of the team and we need to make the changes there.
“Up front, we have different opportunities as well, so that’s good. How often we do it, I didn’t make a plan already for the season, but as often as necessary and possible.”
United’s 2-1 victory at West Ham was much more dramatic, as the Red Devils came from behind to extend their superb away record.
Cristiano Ronaldo cancelled out Said Benrahma’s opener before Jesse Lingard fired in a last-minute stunner and then David De Gea saved a stoppage-time penalty.
“Of course, we’re very happy with the win and I felt we deserved it,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“We played some good football and created some good chances and Cristiano should have had two penalties, but luckily David saved that penalty at the end.
“Jesse wants to fight for his place and for me he’s really contributing. I’m pleased for him.”
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